Zebstrika is already ranked A+ in PU but not for its physical set, which sits at C- in the sets viability ranking. Even with a subpar base 80 Special Attack, it usually hits off the special side thanks to higher BP moves and good coverage, making its LO all-out attacking set its most viable. I'm going to try and change that and also separate it from the next closest physical Electric-type, Luxray.
+Hustle (-Sap Sipper), +Extreme Speed
Justification: Zebstrika is fast, so fast it often doesn't have time to aim, thus the addition of
Hustle. The dex says "They have lightning-like movements. When Zebstrika run at full speed, the sound of thunder reverberates," which to me screams
Extreme Speed. This guy is obviously in a hurry, accuracy be damned, and with the boost from Hustle, physical sets are starting to look a lot more appetizing right about now.
Theorymon: The addition of Extreme Speed with Hustle boils down to a non-STAB, Choice Band +2 priority Normal attack with 80% accuracy. Nothing spectacular, but it means Zebstrika can hit faster, frailer threats for some pretty good damage--
252 Atk Life Orb Hustle Zebstrika Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mr. Mime: 201-238 (90.9 - 107.6%) -- 50% chance to OHKO--or get ahead of other priority attacks like Sucker Punch, Mach Punch, Ice Shard and Aqua Jet to KO a weakened target first.
The crux of this theorymon, however, is the raw power given by Hustle to its physical attacks like
Wild Charge, Frustration, Flame Charge, and Pursuit.
252 Atk Life Orb Hustle Zebstrika Wild Charge vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Lickilicky: 250-294 (58.9 - 69.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
compared to:
252+ Atk Guts Luxray Wild Charge vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Lickilicky: 238-282 (56.1 - 66.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
(Obviously Superpower hits Licki harder. The calc is just to show raw power versus its competition.)
While some of these don't look that impressive, with some prior damage and/or hazards it can 2HKO them.
252 Atk Life Orb Hustle Zebstrika Frustration vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Stunfisk: 147-173 (34.8 - 40.9%) -- 62.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Hustle Zebstrika Frustration vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Tangela: 107-126 (32 - 37.7%) -- 92.9% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Hustle Zebstrika Frustration vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Piloswine: 146-172 (36.1 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Hustle Zebstrika Wild Charge vs. 252 HP / 240 Def Eviolite Misdreavus: 175-207 (54 - 63.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Hustle Zebstrika Wild Charge vs. 172 HP / 0 Def Probopass: 173-204 (56.9 - 67.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Hustle Zebstrika Wild Charge vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Avalugg: 140-165 (35.6 - 41.9%) -- 9.4% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
Running
Volt Switch with Hustle is still not out of the question to keep up momentum and since special attacks aren't affected by the ability, you don't have to risk missing and screwing up your getaway.
Conclusion: Forgoing the coverage and accuracy of special attacks for physical attacks is probably worth the large damage output that Hustle brings. Sap Sipper, the ability replaced by Hustle, also gave a +1 Attack boost, but it relied on eating a Grass attack first. Now Zebstrika can hit hard off the bat and even gains a new +2 priority attack to pick off weakened, faster targets or targets with priority.
Guts Luxray has a few coverage options Zebstrika would appreciate, but its still weaker, even with a +Atk nature vs. +Spe for Zebstrika. Zeb can even run a band over the flexibility that a Life Orb grants to unleash power unlike anything in PU, though the lure of Volt Switch is still pretty strong to keep up pivotal momentum.
Possible set:
#Hustler (Zebstrika) @ Life Orb
Ability: Hustle
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SAtk / 252 Spe
Mild / Naive Nature
- Wild Charge
- Frustration
- Extreme Speed / Flame Charge
- Volt Switch